Method and apparatus for use in drilling a well

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus in which upper service lines are lowered with a riser pipe for connection with lower service lines each fixedly mounted to one side of a wellhead member to which the riser pipe is to be connected. Upon connection of the riser pipe to the wellhead member, the upper service lines are rotated about the axis of the pipe into approximate alignment with the lower service lines and then lowered into fluid connection therewith.

United States Patent Curington et al.

[451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN DRILLING A WELL[72] Inventors: Wayne C. Curington; Edmund A. Fisher; William M. Taylor,all of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.,

Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 115,414

[52] US. Cl. ..166/.6, 285/25, 285/317 [51] Int. Cl. ..E21b 43/01 [58]Field of Search ..166/.5, .6; 175/7; 285/25,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,189,098 6/1965 Haeber..166/.6

3,236,301 2/ 1966 Johnstone et al l 66/.S 3,285,337 1 1/1966 .lohnstoneet al ..166/.5 3,332,484 7/ 1967 Watkins l 66/ .6 3,354,951 1 1/1967Savage et a1 l 66/ .6

Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Emminer-Richard E. FavreauAttorney-Hyer, Eickenroht, Thompson 8: Turner ABSTRACT A method andapparatus in which upper service lines are lowered with a riser pipe forconnection with lower service lines each fixedly mounted to one side ofa wellhead member to which the riser pipe is to be connected. Uponconnection of the riser pipe to the wellhead member, the upper servicelines are rotated about the axis of the pipe into approximate alignmentwith the lower service lines and then lowered into fluid connectiontherewith.

24 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENT ED SE? 5 I972 SHEEI 1 0F 3 Wayne K.(a/vhf fan [ca 0700a A. F/JA er Wf/flam M fizy/ar ATTORNEY! METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR USE IN DRILLING A WELL This invention relates generally tomethods and apparatus for use in drilling a well at an underwaterlocation. More particularly, it relates to improvements in methods andapparatus for connecting a riser pipe to a wellhead member, such as ablowout preventer stack, and connecting one or more upper service linesto one or more lower service lines each on one side of the wellheadmember.

In the drilling of a well of this type, access is had to the well borethrough a riser pipe extending upwardly from the blowout preventer stackmounted above the underwater casing head. The riser pipe may be loweredwith the blowout preventer stack or separately therefrom for remoteconnection above the casing head. The preventer stack is provided withlower service lines including choke and kill lines having their upperends positioned adjacent the stack. Upper service lines are lowered withor separately from the riser pipe for manual or remote fluid connectionto such lower service lines.

This connection may also serve to connect other service lines leading toor from various parts of the underwater wellhead, such as lines foroperating valves and for charging accumulators. Also, the lines may behydraulic, pneumatic or electric. Thus, their description herein aschoke and kill lines is merely illustrative.

The riser pipe and upper service lines may be remotely releasable fromthe stack and lower service lines, respectively, to permit them to beretrieved therefrom in the event of storms or other emergencyconditions. Then, of course, it may be necessary to reconnnect theseparts at the underwater location, when conditions return to normal.

l-Ieretofore, it has been the practice to guide the lower ends of theriser pipe and upper service lines into position for connection with theupper ends of the stack and lower service lines by means of cablesextending from the base of the wellhead to the water level. Thus, aswell known in the art, these guided parts are provided with sleeveswhich slide vertically over the cables to both axially align androtationally orient their lower ends with respect to those parts towhich they are to be connected.

Guide systems of this type become more difficult to use as wells aredrilled at deeper underwater depths, and it has been more recentlyproposed to replace them with sonar or thrust tools of various types formoving the parts to be connected into desired positions beneath thewater level. However, these serve only to move such parts in a lineardirection, and thus are not usable to orient them in a rotational sense,as would be required in aligning the upper service lines with the lowerservice lines.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method andapparatus for remotely connecting both the riser pipe and one or moreupper service lines to the stack and lower service lines, respectively,without the use of guidelines and, more particularly, to lower the riserpipe and the upper service lines in a single run.

A further object is to provide such a method and apparatus in which boththe riser pipe and upper service lines are so connected without thenecessity of manipulating the service lines separately of the riser pipefrom above water level.

Still another object is to provide such a method and apparatus in whichboth the riser pipe and upper service lines may be remotely disconnectedand retrieved.

Yet another object is to provide such a method which requires a minimumof steps and is easy to perform, and to provide such apparatus which isof simple and inexpensive construction.

These and other objects are accomplished, in accordance with theillustrated embodiment of the present invention, by a method andapparatus in which the upper service lines are supported from the riserpipe with their lower ends each to one side thereof for rotation andvertical movement with respect to the lower end of the riser pipe. Withthe lower ends of such lines in raised positions, the riser pipe islowered to a position in which its lower end is on approximately thesame level as the upper end of the stack, and then moved laterally bysonar or a suitable thruster tool, as required, to approximately alignit with the stack. At this time, a remotely operable connector at thelower end of the riser pipe is caused to connect with a complementarypart on the upper end of the stack.

The lower ends of the upper service lines are then rotated about theaxisof the riser pipe into positions in which they are approximately axiallyaligned with the upper ends of the lower service lines, and at thistime, lowered into connection therewith. More particularly, an orientingpart is carried by the riser pipe and rotatable with the lower ends ofthe upper service lines for engaging a complementary part on the stack,when the lower end of the riser pipe is connected thereto, so as to fixthe lower ends of such lines in the desired rotational positions forlowering into connection with the upper ends of the lower service lines.

Preferably, a guide funnel is supported by the riser pipe in a positionto engage the stack when it is lowered with the riser pipe so as toguide the riser pipe into approximate alignment with the stack. It maybe found that with a guide funnel of this type, sonar or thruster toolswill not be needed to laterally move the lower end of the riser pipeand, in any case, the use of the funnel will reduce the work required bysuch devices and make it possible to more accurately bring the riserpipe into close alignment with the stack. a

The lower ends of the upper service lines are supported from the riserpipe in such a way that they may be rotated, and preferably lowered aswell, through manipulation of the riser pipe and its associated parts.For this purpose, the riser pipe has upper and lower sections which aretelescopically arranged, and the lower ends of the upper service linesare supported from the upper riser section so that they may be rotatedand moved vertically therewith. As the riser pipe is lowered toconnection with the stack, its lower end is extended so that it may beconnected to the stack with the lower ends of the upper service linesspaced above the upper ends of the lower service lines. Upon connectionof the lower riser pipe section to the stack, the upper riser pipesection is rotated to position the lower ends of the upper service linesin approximate axial alignment with the upper ends of the lower servicelines, and then lowered so as to connect them.

Preferably, there is at least one chamber between the upper and lowerriser pipe sections to which pressure fluid may be introduced for movingthe upper section vertically with respect to the lower section. Thus,the

upper section may be lowered with power assist to connect the servicelines or may be raised with power assist to disconnect them. In theillustrated embodiment of the invention, there are two such chambers,one for extending the riser pipe and the other for retracting it.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used throughoutto designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the riser pipe and upper service linesas they are being lowered;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the lower end of theriser pipe connected to the stack;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but upon rotation of the upperservice lines into position in which their lower ends are approximatelyaligned with the upper ends of the lower service lines;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but upon lowering of the upperservice lines into fluid connection with the lower service lines; and

FIG. 5 is an-enlarged view, partly in section, of the lower end of theriser pipe connected to the upper end of the blowout preventer stack.

With reference to the details of the above-described drawings, theblowout preventer stack, best shown in FIG. 1 and indicated in itsentirety by reference character 10, is mounted above a casing head (notshown) at an underwater level. The stack includes a series of ram-typepreventers 11 and an annular-type preventer 12. Lower service linescomprising choke and kill lines 13 and 14 connect with the stack in amanner well known in the art. The upper ends 15 and 16 of these lowerservice lines are mounted on opposite sides of and vertically below theupper end of the stack by means of arms 17 and 18 extending radiallyfrom the stack.

The riser pipe 19 includes upper and lower sections 20 and 21telescopically arranged for extension and retraction, and as shown inFIG. 1, the lower section 21 is extended as its lower end is moved intoposition above the upper end of the stack 10. A pair of service lines 22and 23 are supported from the riser pipe with their lower ends 24 and25, respectively; on opposite sides of and spaced below the lower end ofthe riser pipe 19. More particularly, lower ends 24 and 25 are fixedlyconnected to the riser pipe 19 and spaced from its axis the same lateraldistance as the upper ends 15 and 16 of the choke and kill lines arespaced from the axis of the blowout preventer stack, and when loweredwith the upper riser section, are below the lower end of the riser pipe.

The upper riser pipe section 20 includes a ball joint 26 which enablesthe portion thereof above the joint to be inclined while the portionthereof below remains substantially vertical. The ball joint may be ofany conventional construction permitting this swivelling, but at thesame time preventing rotation of the two portions of the riser pipesection with respect to one another. Thus, torque transmitted to thepipe above the joint will be transmitted to the portion below it.

There is a connector 27 at the lower end of lower riser pipe section 21for remotely and releasably connecting the riser pipe in alignment withthe upper end of stack 10. Thus, a neck 28 is connected to and extendsupwardly from annular preventer 12 in position .tobe engagedby parts onconnector 27, which are moved into and out of latching position by meansof fluid pressure from a remote source such as above water level. Forthis purpose, the connector may be of substantially the sameconstruction as the connector shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.3,239,248.

Thus, as best shown in FIG. 5, the connector includes a plurality ofdogs 29 supported by an upper tubular portion 30 for swinging betweenpositions in which the lower ends of the dogs are spaced outwardly formovement downwardly over the upper end of neck 28, and inwardly withrespect thereto for latching beneath a shoulder at the upper end of theneck 28. The dogs are so moved by means of a locking ring 31 movedbetween locking and releasing positions with respect to the dogs bymeans of fluid responsive actuators (not shown) contained within outercylindrical body 32 about the ring. As shown in FIG. 5, when connector27 is latched to neck 28, the bore through its tubular portion 30 isaligned with the bore through the neck 28, which in turn aligns thelower riser pipe section and the bore through the preventer stack.

The lower end of the riser pipe 19 is guided into at least approximatealignment with the upper end of the blowout preventer stack by guidefunnel 33 connected to lower riser pipe section 21 by means of arms 33a(FIG. 5). As shown, the funnel includes an upper cylindrical portion 34about the connector body 32 and a lower conical portion 35 which extendsbelow the lower end of the connector. As will be apparent from thedrawings, the conical portion may engage the upper ends of the blowoutpreventer stack as the lower end of the riser pipe 19 is lowered ontoit, and thereby cause the lower end of the riser pipe to movelaterally,upon continued downward movement, so as to bring its lower end intoapproximate alignment with the stack. As will be appreciated from FIG.5, the inner lower ends of the latching dogs 29 provide a still furtherguiding function as the tubular member 30 seats upon the neck 28. Aspreviously mentioned, it may be necessary to employ an underwatermanipulator of some type for bringing the conical portion 35 of thefunnel into a position in which it will engage and thus perfonn aguiding function with respect to the upper end of the stack.

Each of the lower ends 24 and 25 of upper service lines 22 and 23 isfixedly connected to the upper section 20 of the riser pipe by means ofa frame 36. This frame includes a pair of arms 37 extending downwardlyand outwardly at approximately 45 from opposite sides of the upper riserpipe section and reinforced by means of lateral braces 38. Posts 39extend vertically downwardly from the outer ends of the arms 37, andeach of the lower ends 24 and 25 is connected to the outer side of oneof the posts 39 in any suitable manner, as by welding. As shown in FIG.5, the posts are disposed radially outwardly from the guide funnelportion 35.

Lines 22 and 23 extend upwardly from their lower ends to positions alongopposite sides of the upper riser section 20 above ball joint 26, whereeach is secured by a clamp 40 from which it further extends upwardlywith the riser pipe to water level. These lines are also supported bycollars 41 on the outer ends of arms 42 extending from ball joint 26. Atleast portions of these lines intermediate clamp 40 and collars 41 areflexible to accommodate angling at the ball joint.

Arms 42 extending from portion 34 of the guide funnel have collars 43 attheir outer ends for sliding vertically along the posts 39. As shown inFIG. 5, connector 27 is connected to the lower riser pipe section 21 bymeans of a swivel 27a so as to permit such section to rotate relative tothe connector when the latter is connected to the stack. As shown, theswivel connection comprises a part connected to the upper end ofconnector housing 32 to provide an annular groove for receiving anannular flange extending from the lower riser pipe section above theconnector. Thus, the guide funnel, both sections 21 and 22 of the riserpipe, and the lower ends 24 and 25 of the upper service lines rotate asa unit.

Upon connection of connector 27 to neck 28, the upper riser pipe section20 may be rotated by suitable means above water level so as to in turnrotate the lower ends 24 and 25 of the upper service lines from thepositions of FIG. 2 into the positions of FIG. 3 in which they are atleast approximately aligned with the upper ends of the lower servicelines. Lower ends 24 and 25 are caused to be located in these positionsby means of parts on the guide funnel and the neck 28 on the upper endof the blowout preventer stack which are caused to engage one anotherand thus fix the relative rotational position of the ends of the servicelines to be connected, upon rotation of the riser pipe, as indicated bythe arrow in FIG. 3.

The slidable connection of the collars 43 along the posts 39 permits theupper riser pipe section and ends 24 and 25 of the upper service linesto be moved vertically with respect to the guide funnel and the lowerriser pipe section. Thus, with the lower ends 24 and 25 fixed in therotational positions of FIG. 3, the upper riser pipe section 20 may belowered so as to lower such ends to the positions of FIG. 4 for fluidconnection with the upper ends of the lower service lines.

The orienting parts comprise a circular plate 44 on the neck 28 at theupper end of the blowout preventer stack, and a notch 45 in the plateadapted to receive a lug 46 carried by the guide funnel. The lug islocated at a level to engage the outer periphery of the plate as theconnector 27 latches on to the neck 28, and is springpressed inwardly soas to move into the notch when the guide funnel has been rotated into aposition in which the inner end of the lug is opposite the notch. Atthis time, of course, the guide funnel and thus the lower ends of thesupply lines are fixed in a rotational position, determined by thelocation of the notch 45, in which they are at least approximatelyaxially aligned with the upper ends of the choke and kill lines.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lug is movable radially within a housing 47secured in any suitable fashion to the inside of the funnel. A coilspring 48 is held between the housing and the outer end of the lug 46 tourge it radially inwardly, and the lug is guided during its radialmovement by means of a pin 49 extending from a side of slot 49a in thehousing into a slot in the lug.

As shown in FIG. 5, upper and lower riser pipe sections 21 and 22 arespaced from one another to provide an annular space between them whichis divided into upper and lower chambers 51 and 53, respectively, bymeans of a piston 50 on the lower riser pipe section slidable within theupper riser pipe section. The upper end of the upper chamber 51 isclosed by an annular shoulder 52 on an intermediate portion of upperriser pipe section 20, and the lower chamber 53 is closed at its lowerend by means of an annular shoulder 54 on the lower end of upper riserpipe section 21. The piston 50 as well as portions of riser pipe section20 above and below the shoulders 52 and 54, respectively, are providedwith sliding seals which render the chambers pressure tight. Of course,the shoulders also limit relative vertical movement of the riser pipesections by engaging in alternate positions with opposite sides ofpiston 50.

Pressure fluid is admitted to or exhausted from upper chamber 51 througha conduit 55, and pressure is admitted to or exhausted from lowerchamber 53 by means of a conduit 56. The conduits may, of course, extendto a source of pressure fluid above water level, or other remotelocation at which suitable controls are provided for their selectiveadmission to and exhaustion from the conduits.

It may be found desirable to hold pressure on upper chamber 51 so as tomaintain lower riser pipe section 21 in extended position withrespect toupper section 20, and thus the lower ends of the choke and kill lines,as the riser pipe is lowered into position for connecting its lower endto the upper end of the preventer stack. Then, upon introduction ofpressure fluid to lower chamber 53, and exhaust from upper chamber 51,the upper riser section 20 may be moved downwardly to the position ofFIG. 5, so as to provide a power assist for moving the ends of the upperservice lines into fluid connection with the upper ends of the choke andkill lines. On the other hand, in order to raise the ends of the upperservice lines, as when it is desired to retrieve them with the riserpipe, pressure fluid may be introduced into chamber 51 and exhaustedfrom chamber 53 so as to thereby lift upper riser section 20 from theposition shown in FIG. 5.

The ends of the service lines may be of any suitable construction forpermitting them to be fluidly connected merely upon axial movement intoengagement with one another. For this purpose, and as shown in FIG. 4,the upper'end of a lower service line, such as end 16 of line 14,includes a receiver 57 having a conically shaped opening into which acomplementary part 58 at the lower end 25 of line 23 is adapted to bestabbed. As shown, the part 58 has a passageway 59 extending downwardlythrough it for connecting line 23 with line 14. As also indicated inFIG. 4, additional lines 60 may connect with part 58 for connecting asource of supply pressure with another service line 61 for. operatingother equipment in or about the underwater wellhead.

In order to retrieve the riser pipe and upper service lines, theoperator first raises the upper riser pipe section relative to the lowersection thereof, as by the introduction of pressure fluid into chamber51 and the exhaust of pressure fluid from chamber 53, thereby liftingthe lower ends 24 and 25 from connection with the upper ends 15 and 16of the lower service lines. Alternatively, pressure in chamber 53 may berelieved, and the upper riser pipe section pulled upwardly, which alsowill raise the lower ends of the upper service lines.

Connector 27 may then be actuated to raise the locking ring 31 and thusrelease dogs 29 from latching position about neck 28, and the riser piperaised further to lift the connector above the neck and raise lug 46from engagement with notch 45. The riser pipe is then free for continuedlifting to raise it and the upper service lines to water level.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth,together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the method and apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

l. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a wellhead member having a boretherethrough, a lower service line having an upper end mounted to oneside of the wellhead member, a riser pipe, means for releasablyconnecting the lower end of the riser pipe and upper end of the wellheadmember in axial alignment with one another, an upper service linecarried by the riser pipe and having a lower end connected to the riserpipe for vertical movement and rotation with respect to the lower end ofsaid riser pipe, means rotatable with the lower end of the upper serviceline for engaging means on said wellhead member to fix their relativerotational positions, when said riser pipe is connected to the wellheadmember and said lower end is rotated into a position relative to saidmember in which it is axially aligned with the upper end of the lowerservice line, and means on the upper and lower ends of the service linesfor connecting them with one another upon lowering of the lower end ofsaid upper service line to the upper end of said lower service line.

. 2. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, includinga funnel supported by the riser pipe for guiding the lower end thereofinto approximate axial alignment with said wellhead member as it islowered into position for connection therewith.

3. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a wellhead member having a boretherethrough, a lower service line having an upper end connected to oneside of the wellhead member, a riser pipe having upper and lowersections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, means forreleasably connecting the lower riser pipe sectionand wellhead member inaxial alignment, an upper service line having a lower end connected tothe upper riser pipe section to one side thereof, means carried by saidriser pipe for engagernentwith means on said wellhead member to fix therotational position of the upper section of said riser pipe relative tosaid member when the lower section is connected to the wellhead memberand said upper section is rotated into a position relative to saidmember in which the lower end of said upperservice line is axiallyaligned with the upper end of saidlower service line, and means on saidupper and lower ends of the service lines for connecting said lines withone another upon lowering of said upper riser pipe section relative tosaid lower riser pipe section and wellhead member.

4. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 3, including afunnel supported by the riser pipe for guiding the lower riser pipesection into approximate axial alignment with said wellhead member as itis lowered into position for connection therewith.

5. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4, wherein thefunnel is connected to the upper riser pipe section for rotationtherewith, and the engageable means carried by the riser pipe is mountedon the funnel.

6. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a wellhead member having a boretherethrough, a lower service line having an upper end connected to oneside of the wellhead member, a riser pipe having upper and lowersections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, means forreleasably connecting the lower riser pipe section and the wellheadmember in axial alignment, an upper service line having a lower endconnected to the upper riser pipe section to one side thereof, a firstorienting part on the wellhead member, a second orienting part, meansconnecting the second orienting part to the lower riser pipe section forvertical movement therewith and to the upper riser pipe section forrotation therewith and vertical movement with respect thereto, so thatwhen the lower section is connected to the wellhead member and saidupper section is rotated into a position relative to said member inwhich the lower end of said upper service line is axially aligned withthe upper end of said lower service line, said second part will engagesaid first part to fix said position of said upper section, and means onsaid upper and lower ends of the service lines for connecting said lineswith one another upon lowering of said upper section relative to saidlower section and wellhead member. g

7. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 6, whereinsaid means connecting the second orienting part to the lower riser pipesection includes means fixedly connecting it to the lower riser pipesection for rotation-therewith, and said means connecting said lowerriser pipe section and wellhead member includes a connector rotatablyconnected to said lower section.

8. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 6, wherein oneof said orienting parts is a ring having a notch therein and the otheris a spring-pressed lug for closely fitting within said notch.

9. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in tive to one another,means for releasably connecting the lower riser pipe section and stackin axial alignment with one another, upper service lines carried by theriser with their lower ends each connected to the upper riser pipesection to one side thereof, means carried by said riser pipe forengagement with means on said stack to fix the rotational position ofsaid upper section relative to said member, when the lower section isconnected to the wellhead member and said upper section is rotated intoa position relative to said member in which the lower ends of said upperservice lines are axially aligned with the upper ends of said lowerservice lines, and means on said upper and lower ends of the servicelines for connecting them with one another upon lowering said uppersection relative to said lower section and stack.

11. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a riser pipe having upper and lowersections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, a connectoron the lower section, an upper service line carried by the riser pipewith its lower end connected to the upper section to one side thereof,an orienting part, means carrying the orienting part from the riser pipefor vertical movement with said lower riser pipe section and forrotation with and vertical movement relative to the upper riser pipesection, and connector means on the lower end of the upper service line.

12. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11, whereinsaid carrying means is fixedly connected to the lower riser pipesection, and said connector is rotatably mounted on said lower section.

13. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 12, whereinsaid carrying means includes a downwardly facing, conically shaped guidefunnel about the lower end of the connector.

14. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 13, whereinsaid orienting part is on the inner side of the guide funnel.

l5. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 14, whereinsaid orienting part comprises an inwardly spring-pressed lug.

16. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 12, includinga frame on the riser pipe including a vertical post, and meansconnecting the lower end of said upper service line to the post, saidcarrying means including a sleeve vertically slidable over said post.

17. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11, whereinthe upper riser pipe section includes a ball joint, said upper serviceline is flexible and clamped to said upper section above the ball joint.

18. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11, includingmeans providing a chamber between the upper and lower riser pipesections to which pressure fluid may be introduced for moving said uppersection vertically with respect to the lower section.

19. A method of connecting a riser pipe and the lower end of an upperservice line respectively to an underwater wellhead member and the upperend of a lower service line to one side of the wellhead, said methodbeing accomplished without the use of guidelines and comprising thesteps of supporting the and wellhead member when so moved, rotating thelower end of the upperservice line about the axis of the pipe into aposition in which it is approximately axially aligned with the upper endof the lower service line, and lowering the lower end of the upperservice line into fluid connection with the upper end of the lowerservice line.

20. A method of the character set forth in claim 19, wherein saidwellhead member is a blowout preventer stack, and said lower serviceline connects to the stack.

21. A method of the character set forth in claim 19, wherein a funnel issupported from the riser pipe in a position to engage the wellheadmember when so moved so as to guide the lower end of the riser pipe intoapproximate alignment with the upper end of the wellhead member.

22. A method of connecting a riser pipe and the lower end of an upperservice line respectively to an underwater wellhead member and the upperend of a lower service line to one side of the wellhead, said methodbeing accomplished without the use of guidelines and comprising thesteps of providing a riser pipe having upper and lower sectionstelescopically arranged with respect to one another, supporting theupper service line from the upper riser pipe with its lower end to oneside thereof and rotatable and vertically movable therewith, maintainingthe upper riser pipe section in a raised position relatively to thelower section thereof and lowering the riser pipe and upper service lineto an underwater position in which the lower end of the lower riser pipesection is adjacent the upper end of the wellhead, connecting the endsof the lower section and the wellhead member, rotating the upper riserpipe section so as to rotate the lower end of the upper service lineinto a position in which it is approximately axially aligned with theupper end of the lower service line and lowering the upper section riserpipe relatively to the lower section so as to lower the lower end of theupper service line into fluid connection with the upper end of the lowerservice line.

23. A method of the character set forth in claim 22, wherein anorienting part is supported on the riser pipe and in position to moveinto engagement with a complementary orienting part on the wellheadmember, and thereby fix the lower end of said upper service line in saidposition, upon rotation of said upper riser pipe section.

24. A method of the character set forth in claim 22, wherein saidwellhead member is a blowout preventer stack, and said lower serviceline connects to the stack.

1. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a wellhead member having a bore therethrough, a lower service line having an upper end mounted to one side of the wellhead member, a riser pipe, means for releasably connecting the lower end of the riser pipe and upper end of the wellhead member in axial alignment with one another, an upper service line carried by the riser pipe and having a lower end connected to the riser pipe for vertical movement and rotation with respect to the lower end of said riser pipe, means rotatable with the lower end of the upper service line for engaging means on said wellhead member to fix their relative rotational positions, when said riser pipe is connected to the wellhead member and said lower end is rotated into a position relative to said member in which it is axially aligned with the upper end of the lower service line, and means on the upper and lower ends of the service lines for connecting them with one another upon lowering of the lower end of said upper service line to the upper end of said lower service line.
 2. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, including a funnel supported by the riser pipe for guiding the lower end thereof into approximate axial alignment with said wellhead member as it is lowered into position for connection therewith.
 3. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a wellhead member having a bore therethrough, a lower service line having an upper end connected to one side of the wellhead member, a riSer pipe having upper and lower sections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, means for releasably connecting the lower riser pipe section and wellhead member in axial alignment, an upper service line having a lower end connected to the upper riser pipe section to one side thereof, means carried by said riser pipe for engagement with means on said wellhead member to fix the rotational position of the upper section of said riser pipe relative to said member when the lower section is connected to the wellhead member and said upper section is rotated into a position relative to said member in which the lower end of said upper service line is axially aligned with the upper end of said lower service line, and means on said upper and lower ends of the service lines for connecting said lines with one another upon lowering of said upper riser pipe section relative to said lower riser pipe section and wellhead member.
 4. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 3, including a funnel supported by the riser pipe for guiding the lower riser pipe section into approximate axial alignment with said wellhead member as it is lowered into position for connection therewith.
 5. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4, wherein the funnel is connected to the upper riser pipe section for rotation therewith, and the engageable means carried by the riser pipe is mounted on the funnel.
 6. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a wellhead member having a bore therethrough, a lower service line having an upper end connected to one side of the wellhead member, a riser pipe having upper and lower sections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, means for releasably connecting the lower riser pipe section and the wellhead member in axial alignment, an upper service line having a lower end connected to the upper riser pipe section to one side thereof, a first orienting part on the wellhead member, a second orienting part, means connecting the second orienting part to the lower riser pipe section for vertical movement therewith and to the upper riser pipe section for rotation therewith and vertical movement with respect thereto, so that when the lower section is connected to the wellhead member and said upper section is rotated into a position relative to said member in which the lower end of said upper service line is axially aligned with the upper end of said lower service line, said second part will engage said first part to fix said position of said upper section, and means on said upper and lower ends of the service lines for connecting said lines with one another upon lowering of said upper section relative to said lower section and wellhead member.
 7. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 6, wherein said means connecting the second orienting part to the lower riser pipe section includes means fixedly connecting it to the lower riser pipe section for rotation therewith, and said means connecting said lower riser pipe section and wellhead member includes a connector rotatably connected to said lower section.
 8. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 6, wherein one of said orienting parts is a ring having a notch therein and the other is a spring-pressed lug for closely fitting within said notch.
 9. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 6, wherein said connecting means includes a funnel fixedly connected to the lower riser pipe section for guiding the lower riser pipe section into axial alignment with said wellhead member as it is lowered into position for connection therewith.
 10. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a blowout preventer stack, lower service lines connected to the stack and having their upper ends each connected to the stack to one side thereof, a riser pipe including upper and lower sections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, means for releasably connecting the lower riser pipe section and stack in axial alignment with one another, upper service lines carried by the riser with their lower ends each connected to the upper riser pipe section to one side thereof, means carried by said riser pipe for engagement with means on said stack to fix the rotational position of said upper section relative to said member, when the lower section is connected to the wellhead member and said upper section is rotated into a position relative to said member in which the lower ends of said upper service lines are axially aligned with the upper ends of said lower service lines, and means on said upper and lower ends of the service lines for connecting them with one another upon lowering said upper section relative to said lower section and stack.
 11. Wellhead apparatus, comprising a riser pipe having upper and lower sections arranged for telescoping relative to one another, a connector on the lower section, an upper service line carried by the riser pipe with its lower end connected to the upper section to one side thereof, an orienting part, means carrying the orienting part from the riser pipe for vertical movement with said lower riser pipe section and for rotation with and vertical movement relative to the upper riser pipe section, and connector means on the lower end of the upper service line.
 12. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11, wherein said carrying means is fixedly connected to the lower riser pipe section, and said connector is rotatably mounted on said lower section.
 13. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 12, wherein said carrying means includes a downwardly facing, conically shaped guide funnel about the lower end of the connector.
 14. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 13, wherein said orienting part is on the inner side of the guide funnel.
 15. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 14, wherein said orienting part comprises an inwardly spring-pressed lug.
 16. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 12, including a frame on the riser pipe including a vertical post, and means connecting the lower end of said upper service line to the post, said carrying means including a sleeve vertically slidable over said post.
 17. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11, wherein the upper riser pipe section includes a ball joint, said upper service line is flexible and clamped to said upper section above the ball joint.
 18. Wellhead apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11, including means providing a chamber between the upper and lower riser pipe sections to which pressure fluid may be introduced for moving said upper section vertically with respect to the lower section.
 19. A method of connecting a riser pipe and the lower end of an upper service line respectively to an underwater wellhead member and the upper end of a lower service line to one side of the wellhead, said method being accomplished without the use of guidelines and comprising the steps of supporting the upper service line from the riser pipe with its lower end to one side thereof and rotatable and vertically movable with respect to the lower end of the riser pipe, moving the riser pipe to a position in which its lower end is adjacent the upper end of the wellhead while maintaining the lower end of the service line in a relatively raised position, connecting the ends of the riser pipe and wellhead member when so moved, rotating the lower end of the upper service line about the axis of the pipe into a position in which it is approximately axially aligned with the upper end of the lower service line, and lowering the lower end of the upper service line into fluid connection with the upper end of the lower service line.
 20. A method of the character set forth in claim 19, wherein said wellhead member is a blowout preventer stack, and said lower service line connects to the stack.
 21. A method of the character set forth in claim 19, wherein a funnel is supported from the riser pipe in a position to engage the wellhead member when so moved so as to guide the lower end of the riser pipe into approximate alignment with the upper end of the wellhead member.
 22. A method of connecting a riser pipe and the lower end of an upper service line respectively to an underwater wellhead member and the upper end of a lower service line to one side of the wellhead, said method being accomplished without the use of guidelines and comprising the steps of providing a riser pipe having upper and lower sections telescopically arranged with respect to one another, supporting the upper service line from the upper riser pipe with its lower end to one side thereof and rotatable and vertically movable therewith, maintaining the upper riser pipe section in a raised position relatively to the lower section thereof and lowering the riser pipe and upper service line to an underwater position in which the lower end of the lower riser pipe section is adjacent the upper end of the wellhead, connecting the ends of the lower section and the wellhead member, rotating the upper riser pipe section so as to rotate the lower end of the upper service line into a position in which it is approximately axially aligned with the upper end of the lower service line and lowering the upper section riser pipe relatively to the lower section so as to lower the lower end of the upper service line into fluid connection with the upper end of the lower service line.
 23. A method of the character set forth in claim 22, wherein an orienting part is supported on the riser pipe and in position to move into engagement with a complementary orienting part on the wellhead member, and thereby fix the lower end of said upper service line in said position, upon rotation of said upper riser pipe section.
 24. A method of the character set forth in claim 22, wherein said wellhead member is a blowout preventer stack, and said lower service line connects to the stack. 